Getting films processed (London)

[Richard_Ad]

Hi there everyone, got a question which I know has been raised on AP before, but I wanted to get an up-to-date view.
I shoot a lot on film, and have used Jessops to process + print films for a few years. However in the last 2 years, results have been fairly dodgy (not sharp, mainly).
So, 2 questions:
- can anyone recommend a good London-based film processor? (I've come across Bayeux on Newman St, but they look like a pro outfit [expensive])
- secondly, I've never really got into getting films processed via mail. Is this a good option? Can anyone recommend an outfit? (The only one I've heard of is Alan Cooper Colour Labs).
Thanks -
Richard.

[beejaybee]

I've never really got into getting films processed via mail. Is this a good option? Can anyone recommend an outfit?

Yes. Peak Imaging.

[LargeFormat]

I've never really got into getting films processed via mail. Is this a good option? Can anyone recommend an outfit?

Yes. Peak Imaging.

and they do 4x5s

[Ian_the_framer]

I have used Peak many times for various formats and they have always been excellent

http://www.peak-imaging.co.uk/

[oldapprentice]

As others have said, Peak are very good and I have had excellent service from them. I have also had excellent service from Cheshire Photo Lab. Have a look at them at http://www.cheshirephotolab.co.uk/index.htm

[Abraxas]

Hi,
If you are using Fuji film then send them to the Fuji lab in Leeds....their machines are always in use ....some lab's only use their machines 2 days a week and if you are the first film in on a run up it will be a poor processing....also Fuji know how to treat their films best and will give advice if they see you are at fault....you can find them online....they are competitively priced and will negotiate multiple films.....
Regards

[ermintrude]

some lab's only use their machines 2 days a week and if you are the first film in on a run up it will be a poor processing...

welcome, but sorry, thats absolute nonsense...

[abrucephoto]

I would recommend Michael Dyer associates in Covent Garden

[dellmyth]

I use Metrocolour, Unit 2, Birmingham B1 2SS. Metrocolourlab.com. They do colour and monochr ome, and scan as well as D&P and enlargements.
Del Gaskin

[beelzebomb]

Going back to the beginning of this thread, I had an awful experience with Jessops one Sunday. I took 6 rolls of precious slide film in to get processed from my week long trip to Cornwall. The new girl didn't really know what she was doing and initially tried to charge me £75(!).

Eventually we got the price right, but they then lost all 6 rolls - it seems the girl had put them down as the wrong processing (something to do with either being given a red or blue slip/receipt to indicate E6 processing, I have since learned).

After a battle with their insurance company, I eventually had to give in and accept (I think it was) £125 compensation. It doesn't take a genius to work out how little with the cost of film that came to per roll, not least the loss of what turned out to be special memories as this was the last of the annual group holidays my group of friends had together in Cornwall.

Out of principal, I will now never use them again for anything.

[0lybacker]

Hi,
If you are using Fuji film then send them to the Fuji lab in Leeds....their machines are always in use ....some lab's only use their machines 2 days a week and if you are the first film in on a run up it will be a poor processing....also Fuji know how to treat their films best and will give advice if they see you are at fault....you can find them online....they are competitively priced and will negotiate multiple films.....
Regards

In my experience, whatever you do, do not use Fuji P/p film that goes to Swindon. The Swindon lab consistently returned dirty and damaged slides to me.

[0lybacker]

welcome, but sorry, thats absolute nonsense...

Er, not necessarily. Having used some E-6 labs over a period of years, it is true that first film thru' on a Monday could produce slightly different (not always really rubbish, but sometimes yes!) than later in the week. Even in a Kodak Q or Fuji {whatever} lab, using all the right chemicals, preview films and quality tests, the lab operators told me that whatever they tried, the best results and consistency came after lunch on Monday ... and in a heavy week, could decline during a Thursday or Friday.

[filmlover]

In my experience, whatever you do, do not use Fuji P/p film that goes to Swindon. The Swindon lab consistently returned dirty and damaged slides to me.

I also had a similar experience with the Fuji lab. I've used Peak Imaging for a while now, and have found them reliable. As for London labs, as they are paying the most expensive rents etc. for their premises, they have become less and less of a practical option for the amateur, since their pricing is always going to be higher.
Those shooting b&w or colour neg. should look into processing their own, it'll work out cheaper in the long run.